Tim Duncan Expects to Miss at Least One More Game With Sore Knee

The San Antonio Spurs played and won without Tim Duncan last night, who sat out with a sore left knee. The future Hall of Famer thinks he’ll be on the sidelines the next game as well. Per the Express-News: Duncan, who sat out Wednesday’s victory over the Hornets, said he fell on the knee during Monday’s 90-85 victory over the 76ers in Philadelphia. Though he was able to finish that game, he said the knee stiffened after a four-hour post-game flight back to San Antonio. ‘It’s sore but I don’t think it’s serious,’ Duncan said. ‘Maybe one more game, but we’ll see.’ The Spurs play at Dallas on Friday, and point guard Tony Parker hinted that Duncan won’t be available for that game. ‘We’re going to play without Timmy (against Dallas),’ he said, ‘so we’re going to have to be ready.’ Acting coach Mike Budenholzer, who took over on the Spurs bench because Gregg Popovich was ill, said Duncan was officially day to day. ‘Pop and our organization is always going to err on the side of being cautious in protecting him,’ he said. ‘So the little bit I know, I don’t think it’s real serious or a long-term thing.’ When Duncan learned Popovich would not be on the bench for Wednesday’s game he joked that he would suit up and play, just for the shock effect. ‘I’d love to see his reaction to that,’ he said, laughing.”